🦈 Archers thread #137: See left - have they jumped it? Discuss The Caseys - sorry, The Archers - here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed. We don't all agree on all points and most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you think Steph Casey is a wonderful addition to the programme, or similar odd views.

Spoilers: not on this thread, please. We don't wait for the omnibus to discuss the weeknight episodes, but we do try our best to avoid cross-contamination from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/4197199--The-Archers-spoilers-thread-6-Cant-wait-for-7-02pm-Join-us-here, where spoilers are positively welcomed!

For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, @DadDadDad has created this useful thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have - BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

Too dispirited to add much else. Have we reached a new low?

I suppose the Archer twins will be born before we need a new thread. 👶👶
Any thoughts on names? Patrick and Antonia were suggested before - inspired! Peggy has to be a strong contender.

Over to you!

Might Rosie be a bit of a late bloomer or perhaps a bit slow? Has she socialized with any other children at all?

Chelsea is ghastly. What have they done to her?

Rosie goes to Nursery I think so should have been riding little bikes, scooters etc. there.

Chelsea has become a joke and has become very unpleasant to listen to. I had high hopes of her.

Astra means star and would have gone nicely with Nova for twins.

Weren't they both Vauxhalls?

Natasha is heading for a blow up. Losing it like that when the baby was crying.

I'm back to regular listening after a break - are Pip and Toby a couple? Or co-parents? Is Rex still on the scene?

So when Lily gets pregnant with Sol or AN Other, Russ will be moving onto Chelsea?

I've never been a parent, but I would expect young babies to cry a lot. Why wasn't Natasha prepared for that? She can't really have expected them to be all smiling and calm all the time?

are Pip and Toby a couple? Or co-parents?

As far as I recall they are co-parenting and cohabiting but not a couple. Really hard to see what the SWs think we’ve gained from this set-up now that Toby seems to have stopped pursuing every sentient adult female within 300 miles. (How far is it from Ambridge to Brighton?) Perhaps exhaustion and celibacy are the morals of this story?

Is Rex still on the scene?

Still on the sea … No, I’m lying - he’s living on a boat on the Am. Silent since his boat warming party, but there’ve been no recent reports of rickety vessels sinking with all hands, so we must assume Buffy’s former tutor is still in possession of two FairSons. It would be nice to hear from Rex. I hope between pigs and taxis and keeping the river out of his kitchen he’s not also condemned to exhaustion and celibacy.

It would be nicer to hear from Robin Fairbrother (sigh!)

Don't think Toby lives with them does he?

Yeah I think Natasha getting that anxious signals big trouble to come.

I admit I rather lost track of Toby’s sleeping arrangements after he and Pip bickered about the smallness of the bed they were reluctantly sharing.

But if he’s not living with Pip and Rosie - where does he reside?

I think Toe B lives with Pip & Fat Rosie.

Gnasher or Tom will suffer from MH issues

Did to y maybe move back in after Bert died? Oh no, he'd left there months before that hadn't he? Not sure

It’s all a bit ‘first welsh person to have babies.’ I mean they’re eating welsh cakes while singing welsh songs with welsh names. Which is all fine obviously but maybe a bit cliched.

Post partum psychosis story line maybe?

Nova isn't Welsh and welsh cakes are vile.

I do like Barra brith (sp).

It's Bara Brith. Pronounced Barra Breeth. Th like in Theo, not like in This.

I caught up on the birth. What a ridiculous script for that. Post section I could barely speak let alone come out with such sentimental clap trap.

TA is like a drug, no matter how ridiculous it gets, you just can't stop listening.

I don't understand why Tom and Natasha haven't built a house on Bridge Farm land with Justin's cash. Likewise Helen.

A bit clichéd?

Does anyone actually sing lullabies to a baby?

re your second paragraph, I completely agree!

Listened to the omnibus today and I think a pp mentioned this but Gnasher saying her “clever” girls breastfed easily really made me cringe.

I agree @Hercisback , after my sections I was home in 24 hours, but definitely feeling like a magician's assistant who had been sawn in half and likely to separate again with the slightest sneeze or stretch. I mean there were beautiful moments of baby worship too, but not like that! A lot of anxiety about getting nappies and feeding right, and not breaking the baby when putting babygrows on- that would be more realistic, no matter how competent her mother is. Also like everyone else, wouldn't she be a bit overwhelmed by all the bodily functions simultaneously taking place, her own and the babies'? The sudden hysteria when one of them cried was surprising, when everything else seemed to be blissful nesting!

Nearly got it! It is nice

Well Chris is a fool for not going after his share of the farm, as he will live to regret when an OAP, if not sooner.